How to Become a Recovery Coach in New York

Those suffering from addiction or other re-occurring mental health issues often feel alone or do their best to stay self-isolated. A recovery coach is a trained professional who can be a guiding light during a person’s darkest times. The certified recovery coach’s role is to be at a non-clinical level since it does not provide diagnosis, clinical services, medication, or other psychiatric care. A recovery coach is trained to lend a helping hand during an individual’s recovery.

The Role a Recovery Coach Plays

As a trained professional, a recovery coach can aid a member’s recovery by helping them build and foster a sense of self-worth. They also help them build healthier habits and stability. A recovery coach aids in providing advocacy, mentoring, and recovery support services to those who seek lasting recovery. Once certified, a recovery coach should be able to:

Help initiate and sustain individuals recovering from addiction and substance abuse or family members of those individuals
Help those in recovery to set and work toward recovery goals
Assist an individual continuing or new to recovery find an array of services to support them, including harm reduction, detox treatment, family support, and education
Promote growth in recovery by eliminating obstacles
Aid in stopping substance abuse and other harmful activities

Recovery coaches are non-clinical providers. Due to this, they do not possess the ability to diagnose or medicate. Recovery coaches also should not be associated with any particular means of recovery or offer primary care treatments.

Certification Requirements for New York Recovery Coaches

There are three types of certification recovery coaches can obtain in New York. These are the Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC), the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) and the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate Provisional (CRPA-P). The requirements for each of these certifications are as follows:

CRPA-Provisional

At least 18 years of age or older
High school diploma or equivalent

CRPA

Five hundred hours of leadership experience, including 25 hours of being supervised or mentored working within the role
Passing grade on the IC&RC exam
46 hours of peer recovery domain training
Signature of NYCB code of conduct and ethics

CARC

Ten hours of approved electives
Passing grade on the recovery coach exam
60 hours of training specific to the recovery coaching domain
Professional signature on the NYCB code of conduct and ethics

Steps to Becoming a CRPA

There are a total of 46 hours of training through ASAP-NYCB-approved courses. This training is required and falls into two parts: the CCAR Recovery coach academy (30 hours) and Peer ethics (16 hours).

Upon completion of training, applicants are welcome to apply for their CRPA provisional so long as they meet the age and educational requirements. The critical value of the CRPA provisional is that any CRPA certification holder is eligible for peer role employment in Medicaid-sponsored jobs across New York State. The certification is time sensitive and will expire within 24 months. The provisional is non-renewable and cannot be extended.

Applicants do not need to be working in the role at the time of application to be eligible and are not required to build the peer role recovery process required for the full CRPA. Applicants with 500 hours of past or present peer advocacy experience may bypass their provisional stats and apply for a full CRPA. Certification is granted after a passing grade on the ASAP-NYCB exam.

New York Recovery Coach Training Programs

The Resource Training Center is the largest recovery coach training center in New York. They have a training program for recovery coaches and training to become a certified recovery counselor. The Resource Training Center is hosting a new five-day training program based on the Connecticut community addiction recovery model.

Recovery coach training is held at the New York City location on Arthur Kill Road in Staten Island, New York.

Renewing Recovery Coach Certification in New York

To renew recovery coach certification, the applicant must undergo further training consisting of workshops, formal classes, and presentations approved by ASAP-NYCB to reinforce knowledge, skills, and professional abilities related to the certified role.

Minimum renewal training hours are as follows:

CRPA: 28 hours of approved recovery-specific education, including four hours of peer and clinical ethics.

CRPA Family: six hours approved in family-oriented education, family dynamics, and family theory, including one hour of cultural competence. An applicant must have their full CRPA certification to renew this certification.

CARC: 18 hours of approved recovery-focused education, including three hours of peer ethics, conduct, and clinical ethics.

Veteran-supported recovery: Three hours of approved training focused on the four performance domains related to the veteran-supported recovery certification, including advocacy, recovery for veterans, military culture and ethical responsibility.

Once the required training has been completed, the applicant can submit their completed application digitally using the platform called Certemy.

Renewal fees are as follows:

CARC/CRPA: $100
CARC & CRPA together: $150
CRPA family: $50
Veteran-supported recovery: $50

Renewal applications received 45 days after expiration are subject to a $25 late fee. Payments are non-refundable and expire one year after submission if applicants do not finish the renewal process.

Once received, the approval may take up to four weeks. Incomplete applications or applications not including payment will be kept on hold until they are complete. Certemy will send reminders along the way of what needs to be completed. Once the application has been approved, it will be available immediately within the applicant’s digital wallet.

Late renewals

To renew their certification, applicants must complete the steps outlined above plus pay the late fee:

$25 for applications submitted 45 days before expiration and those less than six months after the expiration date

$50 for applications submitted between six to twelve months after the expiration date

Reinstatement of Recovery Coach Certification

Applicants must submit all renewal requirements, including a completed application and training documentation
Applicants must also retake foundational training: 46 hours for CRPA and 60 hours for CARC
Pay both the standard renewal fee of $100 plus a $100 late fee

Is a Degree Required for New York Recovery Coaches?

In New York State, applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. It is also helpful if the applicant possesses work or volunteer experience within the recovery support field, such as in peer recovery.

While a degree is not necessary to enter an approved training program, some formal schooling may be helpful within the job market.

Job and Salary Outlook for Recovery Coaches in New York

There are many settings one can work in with certification. Some of these include, but are not limited to:

Home and community-based services
Outpatient services
Recovery and community outreach centers
Recovery support centers
Treatment centers

Salaries for recovery coaches in New York range from $38k-$48k, with the average being $42,475. West New York, The Bronx, and Brooklyn have the highest salaries within the state.

Sample New York Recovery Coach Job Description

The senior recovery coach is a position caring for young adults 16-23 years of age who have struggled with or are at risk for substance abuse. This is an empowered and self-governing environment providing recovery-focused practices for youth struggling with addiction.

This is a management position heading operations, management, staff, intern selection, and supervision. The senior recovery coach serves as a go-between for the clients, the treatment center, the behavioral health center, the client’s community, and their family and friends to govern connections across the entire care system.

Position Requirements

The applicant must be a certified recovery coach with at least two years of experience working with youth with a substance disorder diagnosis, with one year under staff supervision or program management. The applicant must have strong organizational skills, with the ability to communicate effectively. The applicant must be able to work independently and as part of a team. The applicant must also be cleared by a background check. For this position, a driver’s license is preferred.

Availability
- Weekend availability
- Evenings as needed
- Monday-Friday
- On call

This position pays $20.39 an hour and would be for 37.50 hours a week, most weekdays, but evenings and weekends may be needed.

Benefits
- Dental Insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Retirement plan